12-18-2008, 12:10 PM
HEBER SPRINGS - Just a few weeks after improved dissolved oxygen conditions on the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters allowed the AGFC to lift stocking restrictions on those trout waters, the same restriction has been lifted on the Greers Ferry tailwater. The restrictions on Greers Ferry were lifted on Dec. 16.
The improvement in dissolved oxygen on the tailwater is directly related to the destratification of GreersFerryLake, which began on Dec. 11. Matt Schroeder, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Trout Management Biologist, explained that destratification is a result of decreasing temperature and increasing density of the top layer (epilimnion) of Greers Ferry. "When surface temperature and density of the epilimnion reach that of the bottom layer (hypolimnion) the lake mixes or turns over," Schroeder said. "Once these two layers are mixed with the aid of wind, the bottom layer of the lake is again recharged with dissolved oxygen," he added.
Greers Ferry Tailwater was the last of the trout waters to have a stocking restriction in place. Now, normal stocking schedules will resume for all trout waters around the state.
The improvement in dissolved oxygen on the tailwater is directly related to the destratification of GreersFerryLake, which began on Dec. 11. Matt Schroeder, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Trout Management Biologist, explained that destratification is a result of decreasing temperature and increasing density of the top layer (epilimnion) of Greers Ferry. "When surface temperature and density of the epilimnion reach that of the bottom layer (hypolimnion) the lake mixes or turns over," Schroeder said. "Once these two layers are mixed with the aid of wind, the bottom layer of the lake is again recharged with dissolved oxygen," he added.
Greers Ferry Tailwater was the last of the trout waters to have a stocking restriction in place. Now, normal stocking schedules will resume for all trout waters around the state.